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The Friends of Catholic Education recently honored Pat Crowley (pictured second from left) and Karen Smith (fourth from left) with the Father John McElroy Award. Archbishop William E. Lori (center) was the featured speaker at an awards event. (Courtesy Friends of Catholic Education)

Frederick County educators honored by Friends of Catholic Education


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

Pat Crowley and Karen Smith were presented the Father John McElroy Award from Friends of Catholic Education, Inc. at the Frederick-based organization’s recent annual dinner at Ceresville Mansion. The award is given to individuals whose actions or achievements have furthered Catholic education in Frederick County.

According to its mission statement, Friends of Catholic Education, Inc.  is “dedicated to providing a Catholic school education in Frederick County for those who seek it.”  Established in 1989, Friends of Catholic Education has provided more than $5 million in financial assistance to the Catholic schools and students in the county, including Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg, St. John Regional Catholic School in Frederick, St. Thomas More Academy in Middletown, St. John’s Catholic Prep in Buckeystown and Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg.

Pat Crowley is a product of Catholic education having attended Our Lady of Mercy in Potomac and St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. He and his wife Molly have three daughters who attended St. John Regional Catholic School and St. John’s Catholic Prep. Pat Crowley served as a volunteer at both schools, providing resources for two decades, according to information provided by a Friends of Catholic Education news release.

At SJRCS, he was heavily involved in the school’s sports program and served as the athletic director from 2005 to 2016 as well as coaching boys’ and girls’ basketball and lacrosse from 2001 to 2016. At SJCP, he and a small group of parents started the Booster’s Club to raise money to supplement the athletic budget. From 2013 to 2021, he served as the vice chairman of its board of directors and this spring, he was named chairman of the board, according to the news release.

Karen Smith is originally from New Jersey, where she attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School and St. Luke’s High School.  She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Paterson State College, and earned her master’s degree in instructional technology from William Paterson University.

Before retirement in June 2020, Smith was in education for more than 40 years, 35 of them in Catholic schools.  She served as principal of St. John Regional Catholic School for 15 years, and under her leadership, the school received numerous education awards including twice being honored as a National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence. She also served on many professional boards and committees.

During an awards event, Archbishop William E. Lori spoke about the gift that Catholic education is to students and thanked all of the teachers, administration, staff and students for their work during the pandemic. Jim Sellinger, chancellor for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Dr. Donna Hargens, superintendent of Catholic schools, and Karen Murphy, associate superintendent of Catholic Schools also attended.

The awards, created by Frederick County artist, Yemi, feature a stained-glass painting of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, looking over is flock of Catholic school students. They were presented to both recipients by Bill Milani, president of the board of trustees of Friends of Catholic Education and their executive director, Michele Corr.

Visit www.friendsofcatholiced.org for more information.

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